
Iran's Araghchi in Beirut: No compromise on uranium enrichment
Shafaq News/ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday ruled out any compromise on uranium enrichment, calling it a 'non-negotiable national red line' during a visit to Lebanon.
Araghchi arrived in Beirut earlier today from Cairo, continuing a diplomatic tour focused on enhancing Iran's relationships with neighboring countries.
At a book event promoting Power of Negotiation, Araghchi dismissed the latest US proposal on Iran's nuclear program as 'vague and insufficient,' pledging a formal reply based on Tehran's national interests.
His comments follow five rounds of indirect negotiations with US envoy Steve Witkoff, as talks aimed at reviving the stalled nuclear deal gain urgency.
In Beirut, Araghchi held meetings with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Foreign Minister Youssef Raji, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, where he reiterated Iran's support for Lebanon, framing the partnership as one of 'mutual respect.' 'Lebanon's stability is vital to the region. Iran has always stood by Lebanon and will continue to support it—especially against the occupation by the Zionist regime.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Oil vs. Salaries: KRG-Baghdad feud pushes Iraq to the brink
Shafaq News/ As the Kurdistan Region's salary crisis resurfaces, alarms grow louder over the broader ramifications. The economic tension carries a potent political undertone that, if left unresolved, could destabilize Iraq's political framework. The dispute between Erbil and Baghdad reignited after the Kurdistan Region accused the federal government of "discrimination" in salary disbursement. The Region pointed to repeated delays in receiving dues despite earlier agreements. Baghdad countered by citing the Kurdistan Regional Government's failure to deliver oil and non-oil revenues as stipulated in the federal budget law. To contain the escalating crisis, the federal government is expected to dispatch a financial advance to the Kurdistan Region within two days to ensure employees receive their salaries before Eid al-Adha (June 6-9). However, nothing has changed so far. Economic War Kurdish political analyst Mohammed Zangana describes the allocation of funds as 'not charity toward the people of Kurdistan, but a constitutional and legal right.' He references the tripartite budget law (2023–2025) and a 2024 Federal Court ruling mandating salary payments from the federal treasury to the Kurdistan Region. Zangana characterizes the ongoing situation as an 'economic war waged by Baghdad against the region since 2014,' urging for a simple resolution: 'separate the salaries of Kurdistan's employees from political bickering and disputes.' The agreement stipulates that the Kurdistan Region must send 400,000 barrels of oil daily to federal depots in exchange for employee salaries. However, those depots can handle no more than 80,000 barrels per day. 'Even the amount sent hasn't yielded a single cent,' Zangana notes, adding, 'no agreement has been reached on the price per barrel.' On the Kurdistan Democratic Party's threat to withdraw from the political process, Zangana believes the Coordination Framework (CF), a predominantly Shiite group that controls the Iraqi government, fully grasps the danger posed by such a move. 'This is a warning to the Framework,' he asserts. Zangana also highlights a 'lack of will' from Baghdad to pass an oil and gas law, explaining that such legislation would grant provinces and regions constitutional autonomy under Articles 112 and 121 of the Iraqi Constitution. He foresees only temporary solutions ahead: 'There won't be any radical remedies—just patchwork until the elections.' Financial Strain Parliamentarian Mukhtar al-Mousawi, a senior figure in the Badr Organization, a movement within the Framework, expects the two sides to reach a 'mutual understanding.' 'The Region's recurring threats to withdraw from the political process whenever it faces liquidity issues and pressures the federal government—that's not a sound approach,' he states in remarks to Shafaq News, urging the Region to 'reorganize its affairs according to its own budget.' Al-Mousawi explains that Iraq is currently navigating a financial crunch, and the 2025 budget has yet to reach Parliament. 'Meanwhile, the Region resists accountability on how it manages oil and gas export revenues.' Constitution and Oil & Gas Law Ibrahim al-Sikani, a member of the State of Law Coalition led by Nouri al-Maliki, another CF group, strikes a balancing tone. 'The Constitution governs all national matters from north to south, especially Kurdistan Region salaries and the ongoing oil and gas issues,' he tells Shafaq News. He places the responsibility for salary payments squarely on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. 'The Coordination Framework is blamed because the shortfall comes from its nominee, Al-Sudani, but the Framework won't tolerate any failure from the government toward the Iraqi people—north or south.' Al-Sikani also discloses that the Framework has resolved to form a delegation to visit the Kurdistan Region and negotiate solutions, emphasizing that passing the O il and Gas Law would eliminate recurring disputes. He calls on Parliament to act, urging sessions to approve the law and the budget—still stalled in the Prime Minister's office— 'despite its direct impact on the lives of the Iraqi people.' 'I urge al-Sudani to hold a parliamentary session to lay all the facts bare before the public.' In this context, political analyst Aed al-Hilali appeals to all political blocs to engage in frank and direct dialogue with Kurdish representatives. 'The salary issue is no longer bearable, especially with the Kurdistan Democratic Party threatening to boycott the political process, which could lead to the collapse of Iraq's political system,' he cautions. Still, al-Hilali voices cautious optimism, 'The salary crisis may soon be resolved, but fundamental solutions remain necessary,' He outlines key steps forward—revisiting the Constitution and amending certain articles that 'may help achieve lasting resolutions.'


Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Israel recovers two hostage bodies from Gaza
Shafaq News/ Israel's military announced, on Thursday, it had recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages from Gaza, nearly two years after their abduction in the October 7 Hamas-led attack. The remains of Judith Weinstein, 70, and Gad Haggai, 72—residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz—were retrieved overnight in Khan Younis during a joint operation by the Israeli army and Shin Bet. Both were believed killed during the initial attack and taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, a Hamas-affiliated group. Their deaths were confirmed by their community in December 2023. The October 7 assault, which followed years of blockade and military pressure, left about 1,200 dead in Israel and resulted in 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a broad military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children. To date, Israel has rescued eight hostages alive and recovered several bodies. Officials estimate that 56 hostages remain in Gaza, with roughly one-third believed to be alive. Meanwhile, Israel holds around 10,400 Palestinians, including 49 women and 440 minors, according to the Palestinian rights group Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. Ceasefire efforts remain stalled. Mediation by the US, Egypt, and Qatar collapsed after a March agreement unraveled. Hamas continues to demand a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected those terms, vowing to press on until all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled or expelled. He has also pushed for long-term Israeli control over Gaza and endorsed 'voluntary emigration'—a stance widely condemned by Palestinian officials and global rights groups.


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
+21M Iraqis update voter data ahead of elections
Shafaq News/ Over 21 million Iraqi citizens have updated their voter information ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced on Thursday. According to a document released by the Commission, 21,147,292 Iraqis had updated their biometric data between March 25 and June 4. Baghdad topped the list with nearly 3.5 million updates across its al-Karkh and al-Rusafa districts, followed by Nineveh with more than 2 million. Voter registration and biometric data updates will continue until June 15 in preparation for the November 11 parliamentary elections, with over 29 million Iraqis eligible to vote.